System and method for carrying medical and/or personal information

ABSTRACT

A system and method for carrying personal and/or medical information includes a locket designed to contain a memory electronic device to store information about the user. The locket is design to be opened to provide ready access to a machine readable portion of the memory device by a reader. The locket is combined with a pocket in a shoe to carry the locket unobtrusively. The locket and pocket can include a logo which will alert medical or other emergency personnel as to the existence of the locket during an emergency.

[0001] This application claims priority from provisional applicationserial No. 60/079,627 filed on Mar. 27, 1998.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a system and a method forcarrying medical and/or personal information and, in particular, to asystem and a method which utilizes a locket having a memory chip withthe medical information stored therein, and a shoe adapted to carry thelocket.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] In the prior art, various means have been proposed forindividuals to carry medical information on their person. One techniqueis the wearing of a medical alert bracelet. This technique is notuniversally accepted since many individuals do not like the stigmaassociated with wearing an indicator that an individual has a particularmedical condition.

[0004] Other ways to carry medical information include locketscontaining a written, typed or printed tabulation of a person's medicalcondition. These lockets could be used with necklaces, wrist bands, orother modes of attachment. One drawback with these systems is thelimited amount of information that can be carried on a written orprinted form.

[0005] Medical information can also be stored on cards which are held inan individual's wallet or purse. The cards may hold the information inprinted form or electronic memory form. The problem with this techniqueis that many medical personnel are prohibited from searching anindividual's wallet or purse for reasons of privacy. Thus, carryingmedical information in these locations may not permit an emergencymedical person to obtain the information if the person is incapacitated.

[0006] In view of the disadvantages associated with the prior arttechniques noted above, a need exists to provide an improved system andmethod for carrying medical information for an individual. The presentinvention solves this need through the use of a low-cost locket whichcarries medical information in an electronic memory chip. The locket isdesigned to interface easily with readers that can access the electronicinformation. The invention also provides a system whereby the locket canbe discretely stored on a person's shoe so that it is readily obtainableby emergency medical personnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A first object of the present invention is to provide an improvedsystem and method for individuals to carry medical information.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a shoe with apocket associated therewith, the pocket sized to receive a locketcarrying the medical information electronically.

[0009] Another object of the invention is a locket which is designed tointerface with readers which can access the locket's electronicallystored medical information.

[0010] Another object of the invention is the mode of configuring thedevice storing the electronic medical information to facilitate readingthe information by an electronic reading device.

[0011] In satisfaction of the foregoing objects and advantages, thepresent invention includes a method of providing information about auser including the steps of providing a locket enclosing a memory chip,the memory chip storing information about the user. The locket is openedto expose a machine-readable portion of the memory chip. Themachine-readable portion of the chip is fed into a reader to access theinformation stored in the memory chip. The locket can be stored in apocket of a shoe and the locket and/or shoe can indicate the presence ofthe locket in the pocket by placing indicia on the pocket/locketrepresentative of medical information. The locket can be secured to aportion of the shoe using a flexible line such as a chain or the like.The memory chip can be removed from the locket for reading, particularlyby using a removable support linked to the locket, removal of thesupport permitting reading of the memory chip by the reader.

[0012] The invention also includes a system for carrying information ofa user comprising a locket having a lid, opening of the lid exposing aninside portion of the locket. The memory chip is attached to the insideportion and has storage capacity to store information about the user.The memory chip has a machine-readable portion so that the informationcan be accessed by a reader. The system can also include means forattaching the locket to the user.

[0013] The system also comprises a shoe with a pocket, the pocket sizedto store the locket. A means for attaching the locket to a portion ofthe shoe can also be provided such as a flexible member or the like,e.g., a chain, wire, cord, etc. In one embodiment, the locket comprisestwo halves, a surface of one half containing the memory chip and beingaligned in generally the same plane with a surface of the other halfwhen the locket is opened for memory chip reading. The memory chip canbe mounted on a support that is extendable from the locket for memorychip reading. The support can be foldable for storing in the locket whenthe locket is closed. The locket and/or the shoe pocket can have a logoon an exterior surface thereof to indicate a medical condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] FIGS. 1A-1E show a first embodiment of the inventive locketdepicting a square shape with or without a logo. The locket shape isgenerally square in shape and is shown with a chain and connector ringin FIG. 1A. The locket 10 has an electronic memory chip 1 embedded inthe surface 3 thereof. The locket is comprised of two halves 5 and 7which can be opened and closed as shown in FIG. 1E.

[0015] A logo 9 can be placed on the outer surface 11 if so desired.FIG. 1B shows the locket partially obscured when placed in a pocket 13.

[0016] FIGS. 2A-2E show a similar locket, but having a circular shapewith or without the logo 9.

[0017] FIGS. 3A-3E show a hexagonal-shaped locket with an alternativelogo 14 on the outer surface thereof.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 4-8B, the locket shown in FIG. 1A isillustrated in greater detail. Whether the locket is round, square, orhexagonal, the side view is the same as is the mechanical structure.Generally, the square and hexagonal shapes are stronger than thecircular shape due to hinge length. FIG. 5 more clearly shows the clasp13 which hooks to the locket half 5 to keep the locket in a closedposition. These figures also illustrate the chain attachment 15.

[0019]FIG. 6 shows the locket completely opened. In this configuration,the distal end 17 of the locket half 5 can be easily inserted into anEPROM chip reader (not shown) so that the chip 1 can be read.

[0020] The square locket shown in FIGS. 4-8B offer certain advantages inthe length of the hinge 19. The longer hinge as compared to the hingeshown in FIG. 2D offers more structural strength. The locket as shown inFIG. 7 can also have indicia on the inner surfaces 21 and 23 to assist auser when inserting the locket half 5 into a reader. The locket in FIG.8 has the logo 9 on the outside.

[0021] It should be understood that any type of a memory chip can beused with the foldable locket shown in FIGS. 1A-8B. The chip could berecessed as shown in FIG. 6 or placed on the surface 23 so that it is apartially raised condition, if so desired. In addition, other geometricshapes could be used besides the square, circle and hexagonalconfigurations shown in FIGS. 1A-3E. However, these shapes are preferredsince they would result in reduced manufacturing costs. Other mechanismscan be used in place of the clasp 13 to keep the halves 5 and 7 togetheras would be within the skill of the art, e.g., a pin and complementarysized receiving hole or the like.

[0022] The locket is preferably made of a plastic material so that it islow cost and lightweight. FIG. 4 shows exemplary dimensions. Of course,other materials could be used as would be within the skill of the art.

[0023] Using the locket entails first storing the necessary medicalinformation on the chip 1. This can be done at the appropriate medicalcenter or office which has the means to receive the information, convertit into an electronic form and store it on the chip. These means arereadily available and do not require further description forunderstanding of the invention. Once the information is stored on thechip, the individual can carry the locket with the information in anymanner, for example, on a necklace, in a pocket, on a wristband or thelike. The locket can also be carried as described below on a shoe. Withthe information stored in the chip, the locket can then be opened by amedical technician, doctor or the like when the carrier isincapacitated. The half 5 can then be positioned in the appropriatemanner so that a reader can read the information and the individual canbe treated in light of his/her pre-existing condition.

[0024] To solve the problem of discretely hiding the locket while stillmaking it accessible to medical personnel, a shoe can be provided with apocket. One embodiment of the shoe with pocket is shown in FIG. 9wherein the actual pocket is formed either within the shoe interior orbetween the inner and outer shoe layers. In this embodiment, only thepocket slot 25 is visible. The locket 10 is shown secured via the chain27 to the lace 29. In this embodiment, the pocket can be outlined bystitching 31 and a logo 33 can be placed on the pocket surface 35. Thepocket can be sized so that at least a portion of the locket 10 extendsoutwardly therefrom so it can be grabbed by an individual for access tothe electronic memory chip contained therein.

[0025]FIG. 10 shows an alternative shoe with pocket wherein the pocketis located on the exterior of the shoe. The pocket 39 shown in FIG. 10is attached to the shoe by stitching 41.

[0026] Alternatively, the pocket could be attached by a removablefastener arrangement such as hook and loop fasteners. In thisembodiment, the pocket and the fastening means could be sold with a shoeand the purchaser of the shoe could then attach the fastening means ofpocket to the shoe if so desired. The fastening means could be securedto the shoe with an adhesive or tape or other means so that the pocketcan be secured to the shoe after purchase.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, the shoe could be manufactured withthe fastening means as a part thereof and the pocket could then beremovably attached thereto, if so desired.

[0028]FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment wherein the pocket 25 isassociated with the shoe but lacks the stitching depicted in FIG. 9.

[0029] The pocket configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 could vary. Forexample, the stitching outline shown in FIG. 9 could take on anothershape, e.g., more oval, more angular or the like.

[0030] Another embodiment of the invention entails a unique method forsecuring the E2PROM chip to a locket for easier reading. FIGS. 12-17show a memory chip assembly 50 comprising a support including asubstrate 51 with the chip 53 thereon. The chip 53 can be part of acredit card type card which is typically sized at 54 mm×86 mm. Thethickness of the chip on a typical card is 0.8 mm and the card isusually 1.2 mm thick. The chip could have a security lock if so desired.The actual measurement of the chip could be larger to fit within a givenlocket. The inserted chip could have different shapes. As noted above,one design is shown in FIGS. 12-17. In this design, the substrate 51 ishinged to a base section 55. The base section 55 comprises two parts, 57and 59, each separated by the crease or fold line 61. The base section57 is designed to attach to the inside surface 63 of a capsule or locket65, see FIG. 16. The attachment can be by an adhesive or the like. Withbase section 67 attached to the capsule surface 63, the substrate 51 canbe extended from the capsule recess as shown in FIG. 16 to permit thechip 53 to be read by a reader. With this folding action, 75% of thesubstrate 51-base section 55 can be extended for chip reading. The chipcan be glued to the substrate 51.

[0031] Other arrangements could be utilized providing that the chip 53can be removed from the recess 67 so that it can be read, while stillbeing replaced with the folding action as illustrated in FIGS. 13-16.

[0032] While the above listed embodiments illustrate a chip that isinserted into a reader, other chips can be used as would be within theskill of the art. For example, a chip which only needs to be placed inthe vicinity of a reader could be used as part of the inventive locket,system and method of obtaining medical information, e.g., an electronicsend-receive devices using airwaves. With these devices, the memorydevice can transmit the information to a receiver/reader rather than useelectrical contact between the device and the reader. In addition, thememory capacity of the chip can vary, e.g., 4 K, 8 K, 10 K and morebytes.

[0033] The chip may also include an alignment feature 69, see FIG. 16.This feature 69 is intended to ensure that the chip is aligned with thereader when accessing the medical information. Typically, the chip willhave different segments 71 which engage respective contacts of thereader. The chip and reader must be properly aligned so that thecontacts of the reader engage the right segments of the chip. Thefeature 69 ensures that the chip is aligned to mate with the reader inthe proper orientation. Of course, the reader will also have someindicia so that the feature 69 is arranged with respect to the reader inthe proper manner. Other means or indicia can be utilized to assureproper alignment between the reader and the chip can be employed aswould be within the skill of the art.

[0034] While the invention is described in terms of storing medicalinformation, any type of information can be stored in the electronicmemory of the device described above, e.g., personal information, organdonor information or the like. As such, an invention has been disclosedin terms of preferred embodiments thereof which fulfills each and everyone of the objects of the present invention as set forth above andprovides new and improved system and method for carrying informationabout a user.

[0035] Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations fromthe teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scopethereof. It is intended that the present invention only be limited bythe terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of providing information about a usercomprising the steps of: a) providing a locket enclosing a memory chip,the memory chip storing information about the user; b) opening thelocket to expose a machine-readable portion of the memory chip; c)inserting the machine-readable portion of the into a reader to accessthe information stored in the memory chip.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the locket is stored in a pocket of a shoe.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, comprising indicating the presence of the locket in the pocketby placing indicia on the pocket representative of medical information.4. The method of claim 2, comprising attaching the locket to a portionof the shoe.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the memory chip isremoved from the locket for reading.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe memory chip is attached to a removable support linked to the locket,removal of the support permitting reading of the memory chip by thereader.
 7. A system for carrying information of a user comprising: a) alocket having a lid, opening of the lid exposing an inside portion ofthe locket; b) a memory chip attached to the inside portion and havingstorage capacity to store information about the user, the memory chiphaving a machine-readable portion so that the information can beaccessed by a reader.
 8. The system of claim 7, comprising means forattaching the locket to the user.
 9. The system of claim 7, comprising ashoe with a pocket, the pocket sized to store the locket.
 10. The systemof claim 8, comprising a shoe with a pocket, the pocket sized to storethe locket, the means for attaching further comprising a flexible memberfor attaching the locket to a portion of the shoe.
 11. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the locket comprises two halves, a surface of one halfcontaining the memory chip and being aligned in generally the same planewith a surface of the other half when the locket is opened for memorychip reading.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the memory chip ismounted on a support that is extendable from the locket for memory chipreading.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the support is foldable forstoring in the locket when the locket is closed.
 14. The system of claim7, wherein the locket comprises two halves, the memory chip located onone half, each half being generally triangular in cross section so thatthe locket is generally one of square and rectangular in cross sectionwhen the locket is closed.
 15. The system of claim 7, wherein the lockethas a logo on an exterior surface.
 16. The system of claim 7, wherein alogo is on one of an exterior surface of the locket and a portion of theshoe.
 17. The system of claim 7, wherein the information contained bythe memory chip is medical information about the user.